Haaland sinks Brazil, England down Mexico to setup quarter-final date 

The World Cup’s round of 16 delivered its most dramatic night yet, as Erling Haaland ended Brazil’s hopes and a 10-man England side edged past Mexico in Mexico City. The two results now set up a mouth-watering quarter-final between Norway and England in Miami on July 11. 

At the New York New Jersey Stadium, Brazil looked to be taking control after Orjan Nyland denied Bruno Guimaraes from the penalty spot in the 14th minute, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side could not find a way through a well-organised Norwegian defence despite dominating possession for long stretches. The breakthrough, when it came for Norway, was pure Haaland. In the 79th minute, the Manchester City striker rose above Gabriel Magalhaes to head home Andreas Schjelderup’s cross, and 11 minutes later he added a second, drilling a low shot through the legs of Danilo Santos and beyond Alisson. 

Neymar pulled one back from the penalty spot in stoppage time after coming on as a substitute, but it was too little, too late. Brazil’s exit marks the first time the five-time champions have gone out at the last-16 stage since 1990. Haaland’s brace took him level with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe on seven goals for the tournament, and to 62 goals in just 54 senior appearances for Norway. “This is one of the most insane days in Norwegian history,” Haaland said after the match, urging his country to simply enjoy the moment. 

Brazil captain Marquinhos was left to rue missed opportunities. “We had a penalty kick, we had some other chances as well, but here’s the World Cup for you,” he admitted, acknowledging that the sides who make fewer mistakes are the ones who move forward. 

In Mexico City, England’s path to the quarter-finals was anything but straightforward. Jude Bellingham struck twice inside three first-half minutes to put the visitors firmly in control, only for Julian Quinones to reduce the deficit just before the break. The contest was tipped further into chaos early in the second half when defender Jarell Quansah was sent off for a reckless challenge, leaving England to see out the remainder of the game with ten men. 

Harry Kane restored the two-goal cushion from the penalty spot, and Raul Jimenez replied in kind from 12 yards to set up a nervy finish, but England held on to end Mexico’s run of four straight wins and deny the hosts a first quarter-final since 1986. “It was a crazy game. We had to fight and find something,” Kane said afterwards, praising his side’s resolve against the occasion, the crowd and the scoreline. 

Mexico manager Javier Aguirre was gracious in defeat, noting that his side had needed a flawless performance to beat England and that small lapses had proved decisive. With both results now confirmed, attention turns to Miami, where Haaland’s rampant Norway will meet a battle-hardened England for a place in the semi-finals.